KPME Bill 2017: Private Doctors to Intensify Protests in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi from Nov 16

Mangaluru: Private doctors in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have decided to intensify their protest against proposed Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2017 (KPME Bill) from November 16. All medical services will remain closed at private hospital, clinics and other private medical service centres in the two coastal districts as part of the statewide protests against KPME Bill 2017.

Private Doctors have been protesting against the bill since Monday in 2 coastal districts and around the state. The doctors are very likely to intensify their protests further against the government on November 16 to attract the attention of the Karnataka government to solve the KPME Bill issue as early as possible.

Out patients departments (OPD) will be closed in almost all private hospitals in the districts from Thursday onwards. Many of the private doctors are expected to move Belagavi to participate in the protest programmes being organized against proposed KPMRE bill to be tabled in the current winter session of the state legislature.

Meanwhile, emergency services will remain open in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts to facilitate the patients, said the representatives of Indian Medical Association (IMA) in a statement.

 Two KMC hospitals in Mangaluru will shut their OPD from Thursday following a direction from IMA, said KMC Superintendent Dr Anand Venugopal.  All clinics, hospitals based on different system of medicines including Ayurveda, Allopathy, Homeopathy and others will remain closed indefinitely in the two districts.

Treatment for inpatients will continue at private hospitals however, no new admission will be made for medical treatment. In an attempt to serve the patients in Karnataka, the government has restricted the government doctors from taking leave until private hospitals function normally.  The patients can avail medical services in government hospitals and all medical shops will remain opened in Karnataka.